Numbers 5 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. Preparing to leave Sinai (1:1–10:10) * Ceremonies for a jealous husband and for a vow of separation (5:1–6:27)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Uncleanness

When people or things are unclean, or impure, they are not fit to be in or near God’s presence. Uncleanness can be caused by sin, but it can also be caused by diseases or events that are not sinful. In [5:2–3](../05/02.md), the uncleanness comes from diseases or from contact with a corpse. While having a disease or coming into contact with a corpse is not sinful, it still causes uncleanness. On the other hand, a wife who commits adultery, as discussed later in the chapter, is also unclean. This is because of the sin of adultery. With or without sin as the cause of the uncleanness, unclean people should not be in or near God’s presence. (See: defile)

Guilt

In [5:6–8](../05/06.md), the word “guilt” can refer both to the fact that someone did something wrong and to the restitution that the person must pay because he or she did something wrong. Because the person has “guilt” (he or she did something wrong), he or she must return the “guilt” (the payment for restitution) to the person he or she sinned against. See the notes on these verses for translation examples.

Ceremony for a jealous husband

In [5:11–31](../05/11.md), Yahweh tells Moses what a man should do when he thinks his wife has committed adultery. The instructions state that the man does not have direct proof, so they pertain only when he is suspicious. The ceremony includes an oath with a curse that the wife speaks, special water that she drinks, and a grain offering. Yahweh promises that he will punish any wife who has actually committed adultery, but he will not punish any wife who is innocent. The punishment is sickness or failure in reproductive organs so that the guilty wife will no longer be able to have children. It is important that Yahweh is the one who brings the punishment or not. The ceremony itself has no effect without Yahweh.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“The priest”

Throughout this chapter, Yahweh refers to “the priest.” Since there were several priests, this phrase probably refers to whichever priest was on duty at the time. Be sure that your readers would not misunderstand the phrase “the priest.”

Order of actions in the ceremony for a jealous husband

As he outlines the ceremony for a jealous husband, Yahweh does not include all the steps in exact sequential order. Specifically, [5:24](../05/24.md) indicates that the woman drinks the water. However, [5:27](../05/27.md) also indicates that the woman drinks the water. Yahweh has stated the general command in [5:24](../05/24.md), but then he specifies in [5:25–27](../05/25.md) the steps required in having the woman drink the water. So, [5:24](../05/24.md) is the general command, and [5:25–27](../05/25.md) are the details of how to perform that command. You could state this more explicitly if it would be helpful in your language. See the first note on [5:25](../05/25.md).

Belly swelling and thigh falling

The punishment that Yahweh inflicts on the wife who committed adultery includes her belly swelling and her thigh falling. These phrases refer generally to illness or failure in her reproductive organs. Scholars are unsure what specific symptoms or illnesses these phrases might refer to, but it is clear that the woman will no longer be able to have children. Consider how to express that meaning without identifying a specific illness or failure. See the notes for translation options.